Food, Travel, and Life

Cheers to 2018!

Make 2018 Your Best Year Yet!

Every December, I find myself reflecting on the last twelve months of my life. I think of all the happy times, and, of course, I think of everything I wished I could’ve changed. I vow that the new year will be even better. Every. Single. Year. Somehow, I’m never satisfied, and 2017 is no exception. Anyone else with me? Time to make 2018 the best year yet!

Maybe by putting my resolutions on the internet for the WHOLE WORLD to see, I’ll actually be able to commit to them. While these are a list of my personal resolutions, they’re honestly pretty generic. 2018 is going to be all about growing my brand, and growing as a person. I hope that you guys will share some of the same goals!

18 Changes to Make in 2018

Exercise

Commit to exercising at least three times per week, whether it be lifting weights, running, or even yoga. The most important part of exercise is making it enjoyable. It’s much easier to wake up and exercise each day when you truly enjoy doing it. For me, that means yoga and hiking. Exercise is NOT constricted to the work you do in the gym.

Water

Water is so important! if you’re looking to lose weight, have more energy, or even improve your skin, water is your best friend. (Your Weight) divided by (2) = Number of Ounces of Water Needed Daily. According to that calculation, I need at least 75 ounces of water each day, which seems insane. Try to spread out your water intake throughout the day to make it easier.

Family

After moving a few states away, family has become incredibly important to me. I try to call my Mom & Dad at least once per week, and plan visits at least once every few months. It’s also important to remember birthdays & attend family gatherings with extended family. Family first, guys.

Career

Work smarter, not necessarily harder. This was such a game-changer for me…I learned how to be more productive each day, so rather than working super hard all day, every day, I focus on the important stuff first. Then I’ll bang out smaller, easier tasks. Be productive, and treat every day like you’re going for a promotion.

Academics

For those of you in school, it’s important to remember to work smarter, just like in the previous tip. Study each and every day, and focus on the most important tasks first. Eliminate procrastination, and watch your GPA climb!

Finance

Set a budget, and STICK TO IT! Aim to put at least 25% of each paycheck into a savings account (even more if you can afford it…my goal for 2018 is to save 50% per paycheck!). Check out my personal finance post for more information about controlling your money.

Travel

Make 2018 your year to explore, even if it’s just a road trip or traipsing around your hometown…I really can’t afford any major trips, so learning how to explore locally was a huge skill that I’ve developed. Learn how to explore your hometown like a tourist, create your 2018 Bucket List, and check out some overseas destinations here.

Love

For those of you that are in a relationship, schedule regular biweekly or monthly date nights, and end each day with an “I love you”. It is so crucial to make your significant other feel valued and loved, and for them to do the same for you! For all the singles reading this: mingle! Even if you’re not looking for a relationship at the moment, sometimes it’s important to just put yourself out there. Love is so special, and is something we all deserve <3

Home

Give your home a sparkling clean, and commit to MAINTAINING that clean. I often find myself cleaning like a crazy lady every couple of weeks, which I’ve realized is pretty ridiculous. It’s so much easier to just maintain that clean, rather than allowing dirt and mess to build up. Each day in 2018, I’ve resolved to put in a load of laundry, do the dishes, and pick up around the house.

Self-Care

Make some “ME-time” every day, whether it be a nice relaxing bubble bath, reading, a glass of wine… remember to give yourself time to relax and unwind at the end of each day, in order to avoid burning out!

Diet

Less takeout, more home-cooked meals. Less junk food, more fruits and veggies. Just like exercise, it’s important to find things that you enjoy to eat when dieting. The more you restrict your diet, the harder it will be to follow it. I make sure that I make room for some splurges on my diets. I eat healthy, yet allow a cheat snack/day every couple of days/weeks. This helps to avoid constantly cheating on diets, or eventually giving up on it.

Productivity

Make a to-do list each morning. Stick to it throughout the day, focusing on the most important tasks first! I’ve recently begun using a bulleting system with my to-do lists: important tasks are marked with a star, tasks of mild importance are marked with a filled-in circle, and trivial tasks are marked with a hollow circle. I find that it makes focusing and prioritizing much easier.

Skin Care

Keep that skin clean! Make sure to wash away all of the day’s dirt and makeup at the end of each day. I am SO bad at this guys, and this might be my toughest resolution for 2018. For some reason, when I’m ready for bed, I completely refuse to take the 5 simple minutes it takes to clean off my makeup. I dunno, guys, I dunno.

Organization

Develop a special space for every item in your home, and then put everything where it belongs in the first place! You guys know me, I’m the queen of organization. Every single thing I own has a super cutesy, labeled location in my home. Now I just need to remember to actually put things away in their special spaces…

Planning

Finally, a resolution that’ll be easy for me! Keep track of your important dates, contacts, lists, and events in a planner. Life will seem so much simpler when you have all of your important information all in one little book! Find a planning system that works for you, and stick to it!

Fresh Air

Getting outside is SO important (and unfortunately, not something many of us prioritize). Eat lunch outside, bike to work, anything to get some fresh air in your lungs! Living in the city, I have absolutely no excuse… I can easily walk to the store, bike to work, and visit the park. My outdoorsy resolution this year is to take Sawyer to the dog park at least once a week, so both of us can get some fresh air and exercise!

Self Improvement

A podcast a day keeps the doctor away! (Not really!)…but listening to podcasts is a great and easy way to improve yourself. Because I make 3 hour road trips to New Hampshire every couple of weeks to visit my family, I like to use that time to listen to my favorite podcasts. They’re a great way to up your smarts, without being as time-consuming as reading.

Hobbies

Find 3 hobbies: one to make you money, one to keep you in shape, and one to be creative. Like I’ve mentioned in several of the previous resolutions, things like exercising and dieting are much easier if you can make it enjoyable for yourself. Find yourself some hobbies that can make your 2018 resolutions that much more achievable!

Good luck guys! Make sure to share some of your own 2018 resolutions in the comments section below!

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